Improvement in velocipedes



A dinardA gaat para can.

HIRAM T. METZGAR, 0F SALEM CROSS-RQADS, PENNSYLVANIA. t 'Leners Patent No. 89,679, am May 4., 1869. I

.IMPROVEMENT 1N vELocIPEDEs.

The'Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part: of the same.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Hman T. METZGAR, of SalemA Gross-Roads, in the county of Westmoreland, and

State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and'irnproved Velocipede; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation lof the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section, through line a: x of tig. 2.

Figure 2 is a top view.

In this invention a novel method of propelling velocipedes is introduced, and the several parts are adapted to practical operation in connection therewith.

The means of. propulsion employed is a series of backward-inclined reciprocating rods, the lower ends of which strike the ground.A

Motion is imparted to the rods one after another', inpairs, by means of a revolving shaft operated by treadles, either directly, or applied to another shaft connected with it by the proper gearing.

In the drawings A is the frame of the carriage, B B the draught-wheels, C the steering-wheel, C the frame or levers by which the latter is turned, D a spindle for turning the wheel C, provided with a handle or lever d, and a spring d', which serves to bring the wheel to the position shown in fig. l, whenever the operator releases the lever d, thereby causing the carriage' to run directly forward when not compelled by the'driver to turn aside.`

The frame C consists of a transverse piece, c, under and parallel with the front cross-beam of the frame A, and rotating horizontally on a vertical pin which fastens it to said frame, in connection 'with an arm c', rigidly attached to the piece c, and projecting horizontally forward; a curved guide-rod, or traveller, on therear side running through an eye-bolt or slot on-the under- -side of the frame A; and a cord or chain attached to the forward end of the arm c', passing back through slots in frame A, and around sheaves s s, therein,'and thence ,inwardO toward the spindle D, and around a pulley or sheave di, rigidly attached thereto, the rope itself being fixed to the pulley, so that by turning the spindle to one side or the other, the power is applied to the forward end of arm o', where it has greater leverage for the purpose of turning the steeringwheel, and controlling the course of the carriage.

R R R R are the rods which move the carriage forward, all of them being operated by a shaft E, having double cranks, c c, arranged along it in such positions as to actuate the rods one after another in pairs, so that the impulse upon the carriage shall be continuous and uniform.

F is a bent rod passing under the rods R R', and serving, when necessary, to raise them all from the ground for the purpose of backing the vehicle, 85e.; vit

being tothisend connected with ahand-lever L, convenient to the driver.

M is a double-crank shaft, operated directly by the -driver by means of pedals, P P', and communicating Fly-wheels G maybe attached to-any of the shafts.

The lower ends of the rods R R' may be shaped like a horses hoof, if preferred, as shown at lr, the under side ofthe hoof being furnished with brads, u n. By means of the brads 'the rods will be prevented from slipping, while the brads being arranged on a broad, fiat surface, the rod will not penetrate the soft ground.

The additional weight imparted to the rods by enlarging their lower ends, will aid the brads in preventing therods from slipping.

The seat (not shown in the drawings) is to be placed in such a position that the driver, sitting in it, can easily operate the treadles P P, and the levers L d.

The whole device is simple in construction, neat in appearance, and convenient and effective in operation, giving the carriage a rapid and easy motion with great economy of power.

Having thus 'described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The rods R R, in combination with the shaft E, double cranks c c, and treadles P P', when con'- structed to Ioperate as described, and adapted to be used as the motive-apparatus of vehicles, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. Providing the rods R It', when constructed 4to operateas above described, with the expanded lower end T, shaped like a horses hoof, and having brads on its u'nder surface, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The steering-apparatus, consisting essentially ofthe standard D, handle d, pulley d?, arm c', sheaves s s, and cord, in conjunction with `the spring d, all constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The lifting-rod F, lever L, and connectingrods, when adapted to raise or lower all the rods R It` at once by a single movement of the lever, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

To the above specification of my invention, I have signed my hand this 1st day of March, 1869.

HIRAM T. METZGAR. Witnesses GHAs. A. Pnr'rrr, S. C. Karton. 

